Dogs are known for their loyalty and trusty companionship, making them an ideal pet. Still, not every pet is perfect from the very beginning. They need instruction in proper behavior, and they must be cared for properly. This guide can teach you about dogs, so read on.
Talk to your vet about your dog’s food portions. Some people refer to the label on the package to determine the quantity of food to feed their dogs, but those guidelines are not always right and using them can cause your dog to become overweight. Speak with a vet to see what you should be feeding your dog according to its needs.
Rawhide treats are better for your dog than real meat bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide is proven healthy and great for teeth as well, but don’t be tempted to share that T-bone, no matter what kind of eyes your dog gives you.
Try not to force your dog to eat things. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. When you are a new dog owner, it may take a while to figure out what he does and doesn’t like.
Brushing your dog on a daily basis has other benefits aside from the fact that he will shed less fur on your furniture clothing. Their coat will become shinier when they are brushed everyday. When you brush fur, you’re also spreading around the oils that help keep your pet’s coat looking shiny and healthy.
Makes sure your dog gets adequate exercise. Regular exercise and play time promotes the health and happiness of your dog. Playing fetch or going for a nice walk will be good for both you and the dog. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.
Solid leash training is a must for any dog. The dog needs to stay beside you, not behind or in front of you. It also needs to know the command “heel”. This will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you. Even if your dog is sometimes walked on a loose leash, it should still know the command anyway.
If you wish to get a dog, but don’t know if you can commit to it, try getting a foster dog. A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, or you simply want to be extra nice to him, leave some music on when you go to work. That helps the dog feel like someone is around. When it comes to treating your pet’s anxiety, a little music could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Make sure you exercise both your dog’s mind and its body. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. Doing this will help your pet to feel like a loved and needed family member, and teaching your dog these skills will give it some much needed mental exercise.
Know that an animal doesn’t need too many people telling it what to do when it’s being trained. Different people do things different ways, and you can confuse your pup. Pick a single person to be responsible for all training, and let others support the decisions made by demanding the same standards of behavior from the dog.
Always go to your dog’s yearly check-up. If your dog is regularly checked out by its veterinarian, they’ll be able to catch things like diabetes or kidney problems before they grow into a major issue. An annual check-up for your pet can help to avoid future expense and needless suffering for your dog.
It isn’t unusual for dogs to injure their paws by stepping on bits of glass or other debris. If your dog gets a cut, make sure that it is washed with antiseptic and then have a bandage wrapped around the wound. If the cut is deep, it is best to go to a veterinarian.
When you are enjoying a snack, you might be tempted to share a little with your dog. Some foods are okay to share, but there are foods that can be hazardous to a dog’s health. Chocolate, caffeine, and grapes are some examples of food that should not be given to dogs. These foods can hurt your dog’s health.
Always use positive reinforcement when training your dog. Rewards and praise can help the dog to come around much quicker than violence or dominance. Treating the dog in a humane manner offers the best possible training and has shown to work best over the long run. Therefore, be kind during training; you are going to get better and quicker results.
It is important to keep your dog clean. Though dogs don’t need bathing every day, they ought to have one each week. This can fight off fleas, prevent dermatitis and keep your house smelling fresher too.
When you adopt a pet, sign up for training classes. A well-trained dog who responds properly to commands is a happy dog. You will be happier with him, too. Training is simpler with puppies, but older dogs can also learn.
Walk your dog daily, regardless of your hectic schedule. Your dog needs exercise, and walks allow your dog to have new experiences with people and new sights. This helps with their development and growth, so make walking a top priority.
Think carefully about what your dog eats. Some dog foods are better than others, and the pricy ones are not always the best. Talk to a vet about food recommendations for your dog, considering their health, age and breed. The right food can really help your pet live longer.
By now you understand that it’s really quite easy to care for a dog. Use these tips and do more research on the different issues you are running into. With the advice provided to you here, caring for a dog should now be relatively easy.
